It’s repeatedly been proven: make-up is transformative. Consider a popular evergreen tabloid topic: “Stars Without Make-up!” Eager fans flip through pages to see favorites – as they really are. Seeing the beautiful and glamorous without make-up makes celebrities seem more human, more accessible, and, for some, maybe an actress resembles them! You Tube features channels categorized as “beauty,” helmed by “beauty gurus,” with major following (fans are “subscribers”). Make-up is big – big! – business, an estimated $55 billion in U.S. sales annually.

By the time she’s 11 or 12, most American girls have sampled make-up. At the very least, they may wear tinted lip balm or gloss and maybe, even, a little mascara. By the mid-teens, make-up is imbedded in their world. A study in 2014 indicated a much higher percentage of girls are wearing make-up by age 11 – a good three years earlier than a decade earlier. So, by the time a teen attends prom, she’s probably pretty skilled and knows what colors suit her. What she might not know is how to apply special-event make-up or to coordinate make-up with formal wear.

Let’s start by taking a look at that oh-so-coveted and precious dress, which was so lovingly selected. The world is essentially your oyster – make-up wise – meaning, you can really do whatever you want with your face. If, for example, you’ve been lucky enough to purchase a designer dress, one with the quality and style of Sherri Hill prom dresses 2015 (one of the most popular, if not the most popular, prom-dress shopping choice), decide how light or heavy you want your make-up application. Will you be able to, or do you have an interest in, doing touch-ups during prom? Are you the kind of person who will naturally pop-into the ladies every 1.5 hours to “freshen up?” The pocketbook/purse/clutch you carry will impact what you’ll be able to bring.

We suggested you try on dresses before purchasing on line (for the most choices and the best deals), and you should do a “dry run” of your makeup, especially if you want a more dramatic look, and a look to which you’re not accustomed. “Do” your eyes; choose your colors carefully and don’t forget to blend! A dramatic eye is a popular choice for a prom look, and this translates to false eyelashes. If you are not a regular false eyelash wearer, it can be a rather significant learning curve.

Cosmopolitan.com says to gather:

False lashes

Scissors

Lash glue

Tweezers

Mascara

Installing Eyelashes

Measure the false lashes to your eye.

Cut your lashes.

Line the lash band with lash glue.

Let the glue dry a little.

Apply the lashes.

Fuse your false lashes with your natural ones to make them look real.

Add mascara.

Line your

Beauty experts say you choose a focus on either the eye or the lip, but never both. If you are a visual learner, there are, as noted above, enumerable videos you can watch, pause when necessary, and continue when you’re ready. Look for videos belaboring up every aspect of make-up – including reviews of make-up, swatches of colors, palette of shadows, concealers and contours.

Lips Are Sealed

Sticks

Tubes

Jars

Strong Foundation

Do research on tricks of the trade – critically. Be sure makeup will last through photos, the ride there, more photos, dinner, dancing and more. Cosmetics, from primers to setting spray, can take you through the night. For example, more traditional foundations can have a more density, with color choices so vast; you may match your exact skin tone. On the other hand, tinted moisturizers may have no more than three or four colors; will wear lighter, be possibly non-comedogenic, and may contain sunscreen. Each foundation offers varying types of coverage, as well many choices of color.

Oil-Free, Matte-Finish Liquid Foundations

Long-Wearing, Matte-Finish Liquid Foundations

Moisturizing Liquid Foundations

Pressed Powder Foundations

Cream-to-Powder Compact Foundations

Stick Foundations

Sheer foundations and Tinted Moisturizers

Mineral Makeup

Self-Adjusting Foundations

BB Creams

CC Creams

The Shadow Knows to Conceal

Eyeshadows and concealers are available in:

cream

powder

powder/cream

stick or wand

The takeaway lesson: do some practice runs, so on the actual day there are no experiments or the anxious unknown regarding make-up.